Surfing’s a sign of summer, and T-Mobile's bringing on the heat in a major wave! The Un-Carrier is sponsoring the Founders' Cup of Surfing at the WSL Surf Ranch, the first ever professional surfing competition in a man-made pool! Do you have a passion for warm weather, sunny beaches, and crashing waves? You're in luck! We've got the lowdown on how T-Mobile's making waves in 2018!

Founders' Cup of Surfing

This event is just another example of T-Mobile making history. On Saturday May 5th – Sunday, May 6th, the magenta megalodon will be sponsoring the Founders' Cup of Surfing. It's the first professional surfing competition where 25 wave riders will put their skills to the test for high tide glory in a man-made pool. This will be the first amazing event held at the WSL Surf Ranch in oh-so-sunny Lemoore, CA.

Enjoy the show!

Whether you’re looking for the best view in the house or on the beach, T-Mobile's got you covered (just like our network). Alongside the wave pool, all fans are welcome at the T-Mobile Un-Carrier Lounge. The exclusive relaxation spot gives attendees an optimal view of all the adrenaline-filled action. This awesome lounge area is out of the sun, but close to the fun! It's the perfect place to capture the best moments on your smartphone. Don’t worry about your battery dying while you’re directing your amateur sports doc -- you can keep your phone alive for every epic shot with 25 well-placed charging stations! The Un-Carrier Lounge is the place you wanna be to get the best live view of this incredible sporting event.

Sounds awesome! Can I check it out?

If you can’t hit up the event, but want to see the action, select portions will be shown on CBS and CBS Sports. You can also stream it live on WorldSurfLeague.com, Bleacher Report or on the World Surf League’s mobile app. T-Mobile's got a special treat for viewers; The T-Mobile Barrel Cam. This one-of-kind camera angle takes viewers off the sideline and into the barrel with some pro surfer dudes and dudettes, and you can keep track of competitors’ times with the barrel timer!

The competition is heating up and you won't wanna miss out on this the history-making action. Check out the schedule below and support this fantastic event by tuning in and watching these pros make a splash!

T-Mobile believes in thanking our customers -- and that includes the millions of military members and their families across the nation. We're taking our commitment to those who commit their all to the next level, with a company-wide initiative that includes the biggest military discount in wireless, investment in LTE network expansion around US military bases, and a pledge to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses.

T-Mobile ONE Military

On April 22nd we launched T-Mobile ONE Military, a new plan for military customers, their families, and their small businesses. T-Mobile ONE Military will offer every incredible benefit included in T-Mobile ONE, with our biggest discount ever for families. With taxes and fees already included, you get 20% off your first line, and half off each additional family line added -- up to five additional lines. T-Mobile ONE Military is available for active duty military, Reserve, National Guard, veterans, and Gold Star families. Customers can verify eligibility online or in store!

And to keep the half-off thanks rolling, for a limited time we're also thrilled to offer the latest Samsung devices to our military customers at a discount, too. When you activate a T-Mobile ONE Military plan, and purchase a Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+, or S8 Active on an equipment installment plan, you can receive 50% off via promotional bill credits. Check out more details here: Military Members get 50% off a Samsung Galaxy.

Network expansion for military communities

Excellent plans and stellar devices need great service to support them -- the way our service members support us. So, in 2018, T-Mobile will invest more than half a billion dollars to expand LTE coverage and capacity around military bases and neighboring communities. We're laying the groundwork for 5G as well, putting infrastructure in place to make sure that once this groundbreaking new tech is ready to go live, our military communities are poised for access.

Commitment to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses

The beating heart of our military is in the men, women, and families who serve. So we're investing in people, too. We know our veterans and their families bring incredible skill and strength, and we're thrilled to expand on a commitment already in place by pledging to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses in the next five years. For those transitioning to civilian careers, we're helping FourBlock expand their impressive Career Readiness Program -- to 20 total cities and online nationwide this fall -- so all military service members and veterans can enroll from anywhere for free.

It's what's inside that counts, right? The saying isn't just for books and engines -- it goes for your phone, too! The software's where all the good stuff happens, so it's no surprise that we get amped when we know an update is on the way.

Who makes software?

Let's pull this curtain back! Operating system software updates don't have to be a mystery. The heavy layers of code and magic that make your phone operate in the way that keeps you operating are a collaborative effort! The wizardry always begins with the operating system's software developers, but then requires partnership with the device manufacturer and the carrier to complete.

What happens next?

Once the software's built, the device manufacturer creates a version for testing -- called a "release candidate" -- customized for T-Mobile's network and services (think Visiual Voicemail and Wi-Fi Calling), and sends it to our fantastic device team for review. The OS update test period is usually conducted by selected T-Mobile employees over the span of a few weeks. Some manufacturers use public beta programs to test release candidates before they're fine-tuned, so be on the lookout for public testing opportunities if you're into adventure!

The last thing T-Mobile wants to do is release an update without ensuring stability. If the update doesn't work as expected with our network and services, the software goes back to development to be fixed. When the update passes the tests, then T-Mobile determines a release schedule, and we share it with you in the Software Updates document for your specific phone in the Devices page.

So when do I get an update?

We're all super eager to get new software, but we never want a software version that's not up to our standards sent to our customers! We ask for your patience and promise that as soon as the software's approved, your device manufacturer will push rolling updates.

While Apple's iOS releases are typically relatively widespread, Android software update timing is more varied, with multiple manufacturers finessing the software for their individual user interfaces. We blogged about it a bit ago, but right now Oreo’s all the rage, and the Software Updates page on T-Mobile Support is the best place to go to check the development pacing of the latest Android OS update!

Support is home to more information about OS versions and some smaller software updates (like bug fixes and security releases) for your specific device, too! Check it out:

Reaching out is totally cool -- we love hearing from you! But it's worth mentioning that our Care teams use the same Software Update documents that customers access, so any additional information is purely speculative. As tough as waiting can be, we caution against rooting your phone or installing updated software on your own. Installing any software on your device that does not come directly from T-Mobile will (1) void your warranty and (2) prevent you from receiving future software updates from T-Mobile.

When brilliant design meets a beautiful mission statement, everyone wins. That's why T-Mobile is excited to announce that we'll be offering the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition devices later this week!

What's different about (RED)?

The (PRODUCT)RED Special EditioniPhone 8andiPhone 8 Plus have all of the amazing features of the new generation of iPhone, in a remarkable red finish. Apple's partnership with (RED) supports HIV/AIDS programs that provide counseling, testing, and medication. Over 11 years, the sales of (RED) products have raised over $160 million for the Global Fund to Fight Aids. For more info about these devices, the (PRODUCT)RED purpose and accomplishments thus far, visit Apple's (PRODUCT)RED page.

Here's a quick refresher on the fantastic features these iPhones have to offer:

Apple iPhone 8

4.7-inch Retina HD display with True Tone

All new water and dust resistant glass and aluminum design

A11 Bionic 6 core processor

Advanced 12MP camera with larger, faster sensor

Quad-LED True Tone flash and slow sync flash

Touch ID

LTE Advanced

Bluetooth 5.0

Qi wireless charging and fast-charge capable

If those details weren't thrilling enough, the iPhone 8 Plus offers the above specs with the following distinctions.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus

5.5-inch Retina HD display with True Tone

12 MP dual cameras

Portrait mode and portrait lighting

How can I go (RED)?

On Friday, April 13th, T-Mobile is launching the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED! If you'd like to make sure you're in line to get one of these stunning devices ASAP, you can pre-order the new iPhone 8 or 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED starting Wednesday, April 11th, at T-Mobile.com. Every purchase brings us a step closer to an AIDS-free generation!

The groundhog's had his cameo, and we've finally adjusted to Daylight Savings Time. Plant a few annuals, dust some forgotten corners, and tackle your spring backup March 31st to celebrate World Backup Day!

Why backup?

Maybe backing up your phone isn't part of your usual spring agenda, but it totally should be. World Backup Day, an independent, industry-wide initiative, aims to educate the everyday mobile media user about the importance of backing up.

Whether you opt for a hard copy or a cloud copy; you need a second copy of your data! Anyone who’s accidentally left a phone behind, cannon-balled into a pool without checking their pockets, or lost a device to a software malfunction without a backup saved understands how rough the alternative can be. You can replace your phone, but you can't relive special events to replace your photos and videos -- and building a contact roster from scratch isn't a picnic, either!

Backup now!

Luckily, almost all smartphones are equipped with built-in cloud backup options. This spring is a great time to make sure you’re taking advantage of the sync and backup services available for your device.To get a better idea of ways you can protect your information, we’ve got steps available right here on T-Mobile Support!

Start by clicking the DEVICEStab at the top of any Support page. Then find your phone by using the convenient Search bar. Take a look at both of the following pages in your device’s How Tos:

How Tos > Apps & Data > Sync. Enabling these settings will ensure that recent information you select from the available options (commonly Mail, Contacts, Photos, Calendars) are backed up to the cloud account associated with your phone; for example, to your Google account for Android equipment or iCloud for Apple devices.

How Tos > Systems & Settings > Backup and Restore.These settings offer options to back up unique existing settings to ease the burden of restoring. Depending on your device manufacturer, there may be internal storage and SD backup options, as well as steps to back files up to a computer.

Many device manufacturers also offer software programs that can be used to transfer copies of your device files to a computer or laptop! If you've got a few extra minutes to spend online today, it just takes a quick trip to the manufacturer’s official website to determine if there's software for your particular phone, install, and get one more backup saved!

At T-Mobile, we are committed to transforming wireless. But we won't stop there. We believe that young people have ideas that can transform their communities and effect lasting change for good -- so we're thrilled to partner with Ashoka Youth Venture to unleash that potential!

Changemaker Challenge

The T-Mobile Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the T-Mobile Changemaker Challenge, an opportunity for young people between the ages of 13 and 23 who want to shake up the status quo and change their communities for good. We're looking for up to 25 revolutionary ideas that will make long-lasting, positive impact in communities across the US. Ashoka Youth Venture, a fantastic organization with 20+ years of experience empowering and inspiring youth to take action and create change, will assist in facilitating the challenge.

Pull together a team and get your ideas in for consideration by the end of May. Finalists will be selected in June and invited on an all-expenses paid trip to Seattle to participate in a two day Changemaker Lab at T-Mobile HQ, hosted by T-Mobile and Ashoka. Not only will this workshop help young changemakers kickstart their plans into action, T-Mobile leadership and outside experts will provide ongoing mentorship to foster the skills development necessary to start and sustain their projects for the greater good.

Learn more

We're here to mobilize future leaders -- young people who share our interest in innovation, disruption, and problem solving. We want to fuel their fires to challenge the status quo, and amplify their inspirational voices. If this sounds like you, you can learn more about the challenge at T-Mobile.com/changemaker. Check out this call to action from our president and CEO John Legere!

Whether you're a glove-breaking expert or a jersey-sporting superfan, go ahead and grab your crackerjacks or crack a cold one -- T-Mobile celebrates spring with Major League Baseball!

MLB 2018

We know you've been wondering, and we're happy to confirm: the official comeback of MLB.TV, Un-carrier style is here! This Tuesday, March 27th, T-Mobile customers can #GetThanked and score big with a FREE regular season subscription to MLB.TV, including MLB At Bat (worth $115.99) through the T-Mobile Tuesdays app.

From the bleachers to the barracks to the backyard, T-Mobile has fans covered with the most advanced LTE coast to coast. T-Mobile customers can enjoy epic homers, steals, and contested calls galore with MLB’s streaming service, on us. Baseball lovers will be able to watch every out-of-market regular season game live or on demand, plus get all the enhancements of the MLB At Bat app's premium features -- because your stadium should be wherever you make it.

Get MLB.TV

T-Mobile Tuesdays is THE way to redeem this free MLB.TV subscription, and getting MLB.TV through T-Mobile Tuesdays is a meatball.

Anything else?

Of course -- this Tuesday, the app will offer customers 25 percent off at MLBShop.com, so you can gear up for the season in style. And if you think free MLB.TV hits it out of the park, the contest we're running on March 27th to celebrate the start of baseball season is a moonshot. Baseball fans entering in the T-Mobile Tuesdays app or on Twitter (follow @T-Mobile) will have the chance to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to MLB All-Star Week, July 15-18, in Washington D.C.

For more details on T-Mobile's MLB.TV offer, including last year's MLB.TV streaming stats courtesy of expert (and T-Mobile president and CEO) John Legere, check out our Newsroom, and to find out more about this offer and T-Mobile's partnership with Major League Baseball, visit our MLB page here. If you want to chat about MLB.TV or any Un-carrier topic that might cross your plate, don't forget to visit our T-Mobile Support Community! As the mitt said to the ball, we'll catch ya later.

Congratulations! Since you're reading this, you've already found one of the best T-Mobile resources out there: our Support site. But if you're looking for more updates on all things magenta, and maybe even assistance with your account, you're in luck! More T-Mobile awesomeness can be yours if you're game for adventuring across the web.

Where in the world is T-Mobile?

You can check in with us on a bunch of your favorite social media platforms:

The biggest appeal of visiting us on Facebook might easily be that it's one of two home bases to our stellar T-Force team. Award-winning many times over, including a 2017 win for Best Social Engagement from Frost & Sullivan, T-Force is a team of super knowledgeable specialists ready to help our customers on social media with everything from device trouble to billing questions.

If you'd prefer to stay in the Un-carrier loop with a minimal character count, look no further! Visit our main Twitter feed, @TMobile, where we are thrilled to engage with any customer who wants to give us a shout. We offer a steady stream of UnCarrier news, and every so often, a contest or two!

If you're looking for T-Force here, you can catch us at @TMobileHelp, too! You can also follow a who’s who of our fearless leaders on Twitter for updates on network improvements, customer innovations, and everything in between (including the best slow-cooker breakdowns you'll ever witness).

Unboxing videos, speed tests, exciting stuff about T-Mobile's green initiatives and charitable giving, earnings info, a cooking lesson or two -- YouTube is definitely the spot to keep up with us while giving your scrolling thumb a rest. Did you know that T-Mobile recently set some Guinness World Records? You can check that out -- and tons more -- in our YouTube feed.

Everyone's favorite way to share a moment of their lives is one of our favorite ways to share UnCarrier moments with you. Travel, news, sample shots from some of our favorite devices, a little silliness here and there -- stay in touch with us moment by moment on IG.

Anywhere else?

Absolutely. If you'd like to see these announcements, updates, deals, contests, how-tos, and more, all curated into one neat feed, you can visit our T-Mobile Newsroom's social media page any time. If long-form's your thing, make sure you don't miss the T-Mobile News & Blogs while you're visiting! If you're interested in hanging out with some more rad Un-carrier fans, you can always visit us on our own version of social media -- our T-Mobile Support Community.

Hey Support visitors! Many of you have probably seen our Pillars of the Community around -- they've probably even answered a question or two for you! They're a vital part of our Community, and we're proud to be featuring one of those wonderful Pillars in our blog this week, htghtg!

Who's htghtg?

We've been lucky enough to have htghtg as a part of the Community for over 4 years here, and he's a hero in our little corner of the internet! You'll see him answering questions about network related issues, offering up tips for device troubleshooting, and sharing advice with Community members on everything in between. He originally joined the forums to ask a question of his own. Lucky for us, he decided to stick around when he realized posting was a great way to improve his writing skills and learn the ins and outs of T-Mobile, and simply because he enjoyed helping others resolve their issues. He quickly became an asset to the community and rose to the ranks of Pillar of the Community and has been with us ever since!

When he's not spending time helping others here, htghtg is busy working on a bachelors in Biology/Healthcare and working for a pharmacy. As if that wasn't enough, he's already looking forward to graduate school to pursue a professional degree in Pharmacology or a related field. As he puts it, "I absolutely love college."

Hang out in the Community!

Interested in meeting htghtg and the rest of our Pillars, learning more about other Support Community members, or becoming an active part of our Community? Check out our Meet n' Greet thread and feel free to jump in on any discussion you'd like to be a part of! We can't wait to meet you!

Gather your astro gear and fuel your jet packs -- it's time to prep for a trip to the stars. The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are headed to T-Mobile!

As of 9:01 PT on March 1st, pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ have begun! Don’t delay, or you'll be kicking yourself come March 16th when these beauties launch. Whether you're a seasoned user of the Galaxy line or considering your first foray into intergalactic territory, these stunning new devices won't disappoint.

Do bigger things

The S9 and S9+ offer processor improvements that promise warp speed ability (while multitasking with dual screen). On top of that, both support 4x4 MIMO, 256 QAM, Carrier Aggregation and600 MHz, so they're able to take advantage of every aspect of T-Mobile’s blazing fast network! That's not all the latest Samsung superphones have to offer. These devices boast better than ever camera features:Super Slo-mo can capture up to 4x as many frames per second than the predecessor, and Dual Aperture snags brilliant images even in the dark. You can also use your S9 and S9+ to create innovative new AR emojis, and build an entire emoji library -- that's actually you – all from a single picture.

These are the can't miss phones of 2018. Find more exciting tech highlights below!

Get yours

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be available on March 16th in Cobalt Blue, Lilac Purple, and Midnight Black finishes. Those who’d like to make certain they’re in line to get one of these fantastic devices as soon as possible can find the details about preordering here. Pre-orders began at 9:01 PM PT on March 1st, so if you're ready to go for it, you can use our T-Mobile app's awesome SHOP feature, order online, at participating T-Mobile stores across the country, or by contacting us.

Hey T-Mobile Community! Are you ready for another contest? If not, too bad, 'cause it's happening! With love still in the air from Valentine's day, we want to celebrate Love Your Pet Day with a fun contest all about your furry, feathered, or scaly little family members. Many of us here on the Community team have pets, and we talk about them all the time I mean, who doesn't like to share stories about how their furry little friends brighten up their days?

The challenge

It's super simple! Is there a special treat your pets go absolutely nuts for? Does your pet take up

75% of the bed at night, but make up for it by being an awesome snuggle buddy? Is your pet your Netflix binge-watching partner? We want to see this cute creature and hear about all of the ways you show your pet what a proud pet parent you are.

Enter the contest

Starting today 2/20/2018, through 3/6/2018, visit our Contest thread and post a pictureshowing us how much you love your pet, and you'll have the chance to win one of three sweet T-Mobile pet collars! Please note, the collar shown at right is not to scale -- but if it's too big or too small for your pet friend, we hear they make pretty sweet bracelets! At the end of the contest, the Community Manager team will pick 3 random winners and announce them in the Magenta Lounge. Don't worry, there are no losers here where we're concerned -- our staff is more or less guaranteed to gush over your cute non-human family member, and you can share every comment with them.

Resources

Ever wonder why there's a number below the avatar on your posts? What the heck is that trophy icon at the top right of the page? Whether you're a gamer or just enjoy a good old-fashioned challenge, you'll be happy to know that we have just the thing to satisfy that competitive nature. The T-Mobile Support Community is a great place to get answers, and an ongoing game where members can compete to complete missions, gain points, and climb the leaderboard.

Missions and Points

You can complete missions and earn points for doing just about anything here on the Community. Was today your first day logging into the support community? If so, you completed the Welcome to the Club mission and snagged 5 points! Your first post will net you 5 more for completing the Conversationalist mission, but don't worry -- you'll continue to earn more points the more you participate.

There are also a few missions that you really have to work for. If you throw your two cents in on another user's post and your suggestion works for them, when they mark your reply Correct you'll have completed the Smarty Pants mission. We also have a few limited time missions that you can only complete by visiting the Community and posting on specific holidays, or with the winning entry to one of our awesome contests!

Leaderboards

So now that you have all of these points, what do you get? In short, bragging rights! As you accumulate points, not only will you sport your rising level under your profile picture, you'll also climb the Leaderboard. Getting to the top is no easy task but if you're an active member in our Community, you'll find yourself in the Top 10 in no time! The view from the top is great – and our members who've been around for a while know there's usually a chance to score some sweet T-Mobile swag!

Track your progress!

Want to see where you stand, which missions you've completed, and keep tabs on the points you're earning? Click the Trophy icon in the top right of the page and select More to visit the Reputation page. We've got everything organized in four categories to give you a detailed view of your progress.

Activity - A real time look at the points you've earned and when they were awarded.

Missions - See the missions you've completed, the ones you're currently working on, and the ones you need to tackle.

Places - Are you a Plans & Services guru or an Apple Products genius? Check out your areas of expertise with this view, which shows points earned in specific spaces within the community.

Ranking - View your current position on the leaderboard, and see which Community members are close to you in rank.

We're stoked to host an ever-expanding wealth of knowledge on our Support site! That said, every now and then you might find yourself with a question that stumps that magenta magnifying glass. We've made some improvements to our site to help you search for answers and ask our T-Mobile Support Community!

Widgets and buttons and blogs, oh my!

The answers are out there! On the off chance that our Support document content doesn't do the trick, our amazing T-Mobile Support Community can help! We wanted to call out a change that we've been looking forward to for a while -- some improved Ask a question widgets and Create a discussion buttons that will make it easy for Support visitors to pose their queries and get answers.

Where can I find them?

The new widgets and buttons have a few different homes.

Main landing spaces, across the top of the screen on laptop/desktop and in a descending row on the Support homepage on mobile; Account, Coverage, Deals, Devices, and Plans & Services, now have Ask A Question boxes below the Helpful Topics listed on the landing page. Just look for this section:

Discussion spaces, listed on the Community homepage, are now home to shiny new buttons right up top, just below the title for the section!

No Blog is an island -- our blogs now include an invitation to create a discussion, too! We can't promise tropical drinks, but we're excited to hear your thoughts. Just click ask our community to create a discussion.

How do I use them?

Just type your question into the open field in the Ask a question box and hit enter. We'll give you a few helpful suggestions, but if you still don't see what you're looking for, you'll be prompted with a link to ask on the corresponding discussion page! Clicking there will open a full discussion window with all the space your heart could possibly desire. Create a discussion buttons and the links below our blogs are even easier -- they take you straight to the blank discussion box. Ask an intricate question or a general one, and we'll do what we can to drum up an answer or advice for you! As you'll see, we're also pretty happy to talk about food, too.

What else is new?

Asking questions with ease isn't the only improvement on the roster for this Support update! Check out some other new and recent improvements in this blog generously written by a member of our multi-talented Development team: Support Update Notes - January 31, 2018. You can see more Support Update Notes and follow along with tons of changes we've made over the past year in our new and improved Blog Archive!

We're always looking for feedback on ways we can make the site better. Our team monitors the surveys our visitors are asked to take and we incorporate your suggestions whenever possible, so keep the ideas coming!

What's New

Header and breadcrumb updates!

Breadcrumbs have been condensed to a single item by default, with a dropdown to show the details when needed.

This was previously available for mobile users and has now been extended to desktop users!

"Ask a question" is now "Ask our community" in our navigation sub-header.

Support Community 2.0! Now super-charged!

Support Community has been refreshed, now much simpler for new users to start asking questions and getting involved.

New, simple discussion lists!

Easy to navigate help content for first-time users.

Recent discussions are now featured on content pages!

...and help pages!

Footer updates!

We've updated our social media list, and Jobs is now Careers.

Developer Comments: A lot to take in? You're right! This is a huge update, and it's been a long time coming. We're hoping make it easier to ask a question and reply to other threads in the Support Community. We also want to take away some frustrations with the header and breadcrumb refresh. And footer updates. And a couple dozen bug fixes. It's been a busy few weeks.

Bug Fixes

Various bug fixes and improvements

Fixed issues with the Ask a Question segment

Fixed an issue where separate DIGITs spaces would show in search results in a confusing way